Graduating with an impressive 9.6 and the 2018 General Snijders Award
Timo Osinga honoured during Netherlands Aerospace Fund Gala
Last week in the presence of numerous leaders from the aerospace industry, including astronaut André Kuipers and aviation tycoon Martin Schröder, Timo Osinga received the 2018 General Snijders Award. Timo recently graduated from the Aeronautical Engineering programme at Inholland Delft. He won the award for his graduation placement at the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), where he developed a method for using 3D printing technology to print aircraft parts measuring over one metre in length.
‘It was an inspiring evening in Noordwijk and a wonderful experience’, Timo says of the Netherlands Aerospace Fund’s (NLF) annual Gala, where several awards were presented in the presence of Kuipers, Schröder, CEOs from companies such as NLR, Fokker and KLM, and the upper echelon of the Ministry of Defence. Timo received the General Snijders Award, an incentive prize for students in higher professional education. ‘It was already a huge honour for me to be nominated, but actually winning the award is amazing, of course. I feel honoured to be recognised for the work I’ve done.’
3D printing large metal parts
The NLR currently has a metal 3D printer that can print metal parts up to 0.3 metres in length. ‘But there is a great deal of demand from the industry to print larger parts. That’s why they asked me to recommend a new 3D printer that was capable of printing larger metal parts. To inform my recommendation, I carried out a literature review and market research. This led me to discover that “Directed Energy Deposition” was the most suitable technology. I then designed and printed a part at a manufacturing firm in France. The design subsequently underwent extensive testing on its mechanical properties and microstructure at the NLR lab.’
Putting knowledge into practice
During the assignment, for which Timo was ultimately rewarded with a mark of 9.6, the skills he had gained during his study programme proved to be very useful. ‘I was able to take the project-based approach to working and planning that I learned during my studies and effectively apply it in practice. It was particularly difficult to get a 3D part from France to the NLR on time, as well as to evaluate, machine-print and test the design within the time frame of the work placement. My programme devoted a great deal of time and attention to this process in the curriculum, and that knowledge was very useful.’
The response from the programme has been enthusiastic, in part because Timo’s project contributes to increased sustainability in aviation through its goal of building lightweight structures. Using 3D printing technology for metal parts is the ideal solution. Timo: ‘Making structures lighter automatically translates to reduced CO2 emissions for the entire service life of an aircraft.’
Timo received a cheque for €5000. What does he plan to do with it? ‘I’ve just bought a new house, so I can really use that money. It’s also been a while since I’ve gone on holiday, so I’ll definitely be taking a trip soon as well!’
Timo’s fellow student Ganesh Gebhard was also nominated for the General Snijders Award. Ganesh researched how data mining techniques can lead to improved maintenance planning, safer aviation and cost savings. He received a certificate in recognition of his efforts.